Don't expect to see the youngster stay on the open market long, though. As Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette points out, the Panthers have the first chance at claiming Butler off of waivers and given that their in pretty desperate need of cornerbacks, it would be shocking to see them pass on him.

Interestingly enough (or maybe not?), in the 2009 NFL Draft, Butler went two picks ahead of former Panthers defensive end Everette Brown, who Carolina cut Sunday. Butler won't get them their first-round pick back from the 49ers, but he might salvage something out of what turned out to be an absolutely disastrous draft in 2009.

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The Patriots secondary suffered a major blow with veteran cornerback Leigh Bodden being placed on Injured Reserve Tuesday. The Patriots announced that Bodden went on IR with a shoulder injury, though multiple media outlets are pointing out that he's battled knee problems this preseason. New England used the Bodden move as part of their efforts to trim their roster to the required 75 men Tuesday. Bodden turned down free agent offers over the offseason to sign a four-year, $22 million with New England this past March. He is the team’s most reliable corner, in part because he is familiar with this scheme from his days playing for Romeo Crennel in Cleveland, and in part because he is adept in both man and zone coverage.

Bodden’s absence means that first-round rookie Devin McCourty, who has been impressive in training camp and the preseason, will likely get an opportunity to start. That would make for an extremely callow secondary, though, as last year’s second-round picks, Darius Butler (CB) and Patrick Chung (SS), both figure to see significant action with the first unit.

Third-year pro Jonathan Wilhite could also get a look, though he’s been inconsistent. Terrence Wheatley, who is also in his third season, is talented but injury prone.